How to make fancy pick handles

[Gordon Airporte]

This is the best way I've found so far to make handles for homemade picks: aluminum scales with a couple coats of Plasti Dip. The metal stock came from one of the big box hardware stores, it's 1/16" thick x 1/2" in a 6 foot length (which makes a lot of handles). There's the pick, a Falle #5 deep curve profile. You can see where I got a little overzealous with the grinder, but I can hide the mistake later. The pick doesn't really have to be full length, I've found.




Cut off two pieces of aluminum to whatever length is comfortable for you and round over the short edge at one end of each piece. That's where the blade of the pick will stick out and you want a nice transition. Next, epoxy or glue the scales to the hacksaw blade. I roughed the aluminum up a little with 220 sandpaper so it would stick better.





You could maybe skip this step, but I like to chamfer the edges on the scales. I put a fence on the table of my belt sander and tilt it to 45 degrees, set the distance very carefully, and run all four edges through. You could do the same thing by hand with a file.





Now clean up the profile around the ends of the scales with files. I put tape over the (finished) blade of the pick in case I slip when I'm hogging off aluminum. This is where I can hide the divot in the hacksaw profile.





Finally, give it a couple coats of Plasti Dip. I let them dry upside down to minimize the bulge that tends to form at the end. Ninja-black, so they're easier to lose .




And that's it. I really like the feel of these handles, and I can choose the length, which is nice.

[UWSDWF]

sweet

good post

[LockNewbie21]

Sweet i am waiting for my Fiberglass to dry.. jsut wait till you see what i am whiping up

I am trying to get the best feel with a handel, now if i had a spot welder (hobby size) i could use some wire as a skeleton, the wrap it and glass it, Think of it like a spider web, and little thing that hits it vibrates the whole web, just think pick and pin now.

Probobly another scrap idea i have but you never know.


I am gonna go check on the glasss now I will post a pick then

[unbreakable]

You guys both have some good ideas.

Gordon Airporte, I have one question. How thick is the plastic dip on the pick?

They look excellent, very professional.

[Shrub]

LN,

Im sure i dont have to tell you but for anyone else trying your idea make sure a dust mask is worn and its done outside when you get around to sanding them as the dust is not what you want to be breathing in trust me,

[mrdan]

LN,

Im sure i dont have to tell you but for anyone else trying your idea make sure a dust mask is worn and its done outside when you get around to sanding them as the dust is not what you want to be breathing in trust me,

Ah! The voice of experience.

[Kaotik]

And don't forget the all important pair of safety glasses. I am a certified paint and body man, and use all the safety equipment I can. Even using some latex gloves and sleeves for your arms will illiminate getting that F/Glass on you.

It's can be a real pain in the itch!

[unbreakable]

did you know that itching powder made from fiberglass can leave someone scratching for a week??

Nasty stuff it is. I got some in me when I was filing down a fiberglass rod to try and execute exodus500's pin tumbler bypass, man that hurt.

Im anxious to see those pick handle LockNewbie!!

[Shrub]

did you know that itching powder made from fiberglass can leave someone scratching for a week??

And lung cancer for life

[unbreakable]

did you know that itching powder made from fiberglass can leave someone scratching for a week??

And lung cancer for life

That too i guess. Scary $#*t fiberglass is.

[LockNewbie21]

Gotacha.... i prpbobly already ahve lung cancer as we do a hella lot of fraiming insulated and dry wall at work.

Pink Panted is not a heathly charactor.. his fiberglass is the worst.


I finished i though looks sweet leeme snap a pcik then

[Shrub]

New stuff isnt actually fibre glass is it? i thought it was phased out a while ago due to the dust in attics etc, i thought pink panther stuff was a rockwool,

I could be way off its been a good few years since ive done any insulating,

[LockNewbie21]

I dunno.. itches like hell, and makes you caugh.. i know where a repirator. I used to put the stuff in with a cigerette in my mouth. Geez i must be the smartest guy in the world. Its okay oyu an all bow and praise me

[!*AMP*!]

My worst experience with fiberglass was when I was insulating a crawl space, and well, let's just say I didn't wear a belt that day for some odd reason, and the fiberglass dust worked it's way down my back, and around to the front as well...INCREDIBLY painful for almost four days! I learned.

[LockNewbie21]

I had got an eye infection Nasty nasty, i looked stoned or cracked out for a few days, funny looks though.


This project isn't that bad though, if you prepare the surface you can set the resin as is, i used bit more hardening agent, but it works great.

Having a hobby model Co2 painter would be good i just used spray cans, and some clear, Next time i am going to lay a sandable primer first just to make it as smooth as possible.